SMART Fare Adjustment Sees Marginal Increase

The Public Transport Council (PTC) has approved an average 0.6% fare adjustment on SMRT’s bus and train fares. The council has supported SMRT’s proposal for a no increase in Child/student ez-link or monthly Concession Passes, and to extend senior citizens’ concessionary travel hours to include the
evening peak hours.

Based on the PTC’s fare formula, the maximum fare adjustment would have been 4.5% this year, without factoring in productivity gains. However, SMRT had achieved higher productivity gains in the last five years. As such, commuters benefit from a higher industry productivity extraction of 1.5%. As a result, the maximum fare adjustment quantum is reduced to 3% this year.

To benefit seniors who use SMRT trains during the evening peak hours, the senior citizens travel concession hours will be extended to cover the time period from 4.30pm to 7pm (Monday to Friday). This extension of the senior citizen concessionary travel hours will cost an additional $1.3 million yearly.

SMRT continues to provide financial support to help needy passengers. To alleviate the financial burden of the low-income earners, SMRT will contribute S$100,000 worth of vouchers to the Public Transport Fund to help the needy group cope with the bus and train fares adjustment. These vouchers will be available through the Citizens’ Consultative Committees from late October 2008.

New MRT Fares with effect from 1 October 2008

Senior Citizen Concession Fare

Fare Per Ride (cents): 70

Transfer rebate: 40

Senior Citizen concession hours are from 9:00 am to end of operating hours on weekdays (except public holidays) and full operating hours on weekends and public holidays· There is no change to existing fares for passengers using the Child/Student ez-link Card and Monthly Concession Passes.

Comments

My birthday falls on 9 June 1954 – I supposed this is Singapore Senior Citizenship age to qualify for SC benefits. Could you kindly enlighten me as how I could apply for a discounted SMRT link card fare for SC. I am a civil servant (teacher.